Applicator pad for use with an apparatus for applying a fluid to the tires of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle tire dressing apparatus according to the present invention comprises left and right dressing applicators situated alongside a vehicle conveying track, the dressing applicators being moveable individually into contacting engagement with tires on left and right sides of a vehicle in the track. Each applicator has an applicator pad mounted to a mount bar and the mount bar is hinged to a frame which allows articulation of the applicator pad into and out of contact with the tires. The applicator pad is configured with a plurality of orifices, each of which orifices receives fluid sprayed from a complimentary spray nozzle. Each orifice has an elongated capillary which assists dispersing fluid into the pad. The spray nozzles emit fluid into the pads for a predetermined amount of time, the spraying being initiated by movement of the vehicle into proximity with the tire dressing assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] This invention pertains generally to apparatus for applying afluid to vehicle tires and, in particular, to a method and apparatus forautomatically applying a dressing fluid to the tires of a vehicle beingconveyed within an automatic vehicle washing facility.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] It is well known in the vehicle washing industry to performvarious automated steps during the vehicle washing process as thevehicle is conveyed through a washing facility. Over the years, numerousadvances to such washing facilities have expedited and improved thewashing process while decreasing the manpower requirements of thefacility. For instance, the development of a cost-efficient, effectiveair drying system for vehicles eliminated the need to dry vehiclemanually after the washing procedure is completed.

[0005] Historically, patrons to vehicle washing facilities have had theoption of paying an additional fee and having a dressing fluid appliedto the vehicle tires near the exit of the washing facility. The dressingfluid, which can be either water-or solvent-based, is applied directlyto the tires to improve their appearance and provide a finishing touchto the exterior of the vehicle. There are various known methods forapplying tire dressing fluids, none of which have successfullyeliminated or even reduced manpower requirements, or improved theefficiency with which the dressing fluids are consumed by the washingfacility.

[0006] One method of dressing vehicle tires is by manually applying thedressing as the vehicle approaches the washing facility exits or whenthe car has been moved outside the washing facility., In an inherentlycostly and labor intensive process, an attendant applies the fluidmanually to each tire. Understandably, there is difficulty incontrolling the amount of tire dressing fluid that is used by theattendant. One attendant may apply the fluid liberally to the applicatorpad or towel, while another attendant may not use enough fluid. Theresult is that patrons may receive inconsistent service, and the cost ofthe tire dressing service unnecessarily inflated to cover the cost ofmanpower and the dressing fluid consumed by the facility.

[0007] There have also been attempts to apply the dressing fluidautomatically as the vehicle is prepared to exit the washing facility.Typically, one or more spray nozzles are used to spray fluid directly onthe tires. While an automatic spraying device may eliminate the manualstep of applying the fluid, spraying the tires automatically createsother problems.

[0008] Probably the worst problem is that the tires and wheels areusually sprayed together, so a large quantity of dressing fluid iswasted immediately when the wheels are sprayed. The tires must then bewiped to smooth any dripping fluid, and fluid must be removed completelyfrom the wheels since the fluid can corrode certain types of wheels. Asa result, instead of reducing manpower requirements by spraying tireswith fluid, the amount of manual labor may actually be increased by thewiping requirements. There are also additional costs associated withproducts such as towels and gloves needed by the attendants to wipe downthe tires and wheels.

[0009] Another problem with spraying tires with fluid is that theattendants who subsequently wipe the wheels and tires often do sooutside the facility, which allows fluid to drip from the tires andwheels before the vehicle reaches the attendant. Especially in thewinter, fluid on the ground may pose a hazard to patrons and employeeswalking over the dripped fluid. There may also be environmental concernswhen dressing fluid drains from the washing facility property.

[0010] Still another problem with automatic tire spraying equipment isthe result when the vehicle conveyor in the washing facilitymalfunctions. It is not infrequent that a vehicle jumps a roller or astop on the conveyor which is used to pull the vehicle through thewashing facility. The rollers or stops are typically linked to a pullchain driven and monitored by a computer control system. The computercontrol system tracks the location of the vehicle and controls thewashing process by the locations of the roller or stop. If the vehicleis inadvertently moved away from the reference stop or roller and thecomputer controller does not recognize the move, the automatic sprayequipment may miss the tires and possibly spray the vehicle bodyinstead.

[0011] An apparatus is needed which effectively and efficiently appliesa dressing fluid to vehicle tires in a vehicle washing facility. Thepresent invention is directed to such an apparatus and a method for itsuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatuswhich automatically applies a dressing fluid to the tires of a vehiclethat is being conveyed through a vehicle washing facility.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus which eliminates labor-intensive, manual tasks in applyingtire dressing fluid to vehicle tires in a car washing facility.

[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus which applies a predetermined amount of tire dressing fluid tovehicle tires and avoid excessive product waste.

[0015] According to the present invention, a tire dressing assembly forapplying dressing liquid to vehicle tires in a vehicle washing facilityincludes a pair of mechanical applicators which move an associated pairof applicator pads into contacting engagement with the tires as thevehicle is being conveyed in the washing facility. The applicator padsare soaked automatically with the dressing fluid via an arrangement ofspray nozzles as the vehicle approaches the tire dressing assembly. Apair of adjustable hydraulic cylinders press the mechanical applicatorsand the soaked applicator pads against the tires to transfer thedressing fluid to the tires as the vehicle is conveyed through the tiredressing assembly.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the applicator padshave a concave contact surface that conforms to the shape of the tiresidewall.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, the applicatorpads have a convex contact surface that compresses when engaged with thetire sidewall.

[0018] One advantage of the present invention is the cost savingsrealized by automatically applying a dressing fluid to vehicle tires andeliminating labor-intensive, manual fluid application steps.

[0019] Another advantage of the present invention is the cost savingsrealized by efficiently controlling the amount of tire dressing fluidthat is applied to vehicle tires.

[0020] Still yet another advantage of the present invention is thatvehicles can be cleaned more efficiently in the washing facility byautomatically applying tire dressing fluid.

[0021] These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent in the light of the followingdetailed description of best mode embodiments thereof as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a tire dressing assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention showing a vehiclemoving toward left and right tire dressing applicators;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged, schematic perspective view of thetire dressing assembly of FIG. 1 showing the vehicle engaged with theright tire dressing applicator;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tire dressing apparatus ofFIG. 1 taken along the lines 3-3;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the tire dressing apparatus ofFIG. 3 taken along the lines 4-4 illustrating an arrangement of spraynozzles positioned within an applicator pad;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the tire dressing apparatus ofFIG. 4 taken along the lines 5-5 showing the applicator pad clampedbetween upper and lower mount plates;

[0027]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of thetire dressing apparatus of FIG. 5 reduced slightly in size and showingan applicator pad having a concave contact surface;

[0028]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a third embodiment of the tiredressing apparatus of FIG. 5 reduced slightly in size and showing anapplicator pad having a convex contact surface; and

[0029]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of thetire dressing apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along the lines 3-3 and showingan applicator moveably coupled to a hydraulic cylinder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a vehicle tire dressing assembly 10according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a leftapplicator 12 and a right applicator 14 which cooperate to apply adressing fluid to sidewalls 15 of left and right tires 16, 17 of avehicle 18. The vehicle 18 is conveyed along a track 20 of a vehiclewashing facility in a direction indicated by arrow 22, the final portionof the washing facility being shown in FIGS. 1 & 2. The track 20includes an arrangement of components, including a computer controlsystem and conveying equipment (not shown), which are consideredwell-known in the art. The control system is used by the washingfacility to monitor and determine the exact position of the vehicle inthe track 20. It is intended that the present invention utilize theexisting computer control system of the washing facility to initiateapplication of the fluid, as will be discussed in detail below.

[0031] The left and right applicators 12, 14 are deflected by thevehicle from dormant positions shown generally in FIG. 1 to contactingpositions shown in FIG. 2 wherein each applicator 12, 14 automaticallypositions and adjusts itself to the width of the vehicle into acontacting orientation with the sidewalls of the tires 16, 17. The leftapplicator 12 moves in response to arrival of the left tires 16, andincludes a pair of left swing arms 26, a left deflector roller 28, apair of anchor posts 30, four pivot assemblies 32, a left cylinder 34,and a left mount bar 36. The pivot assemblies 32 allow the mount bar 36to maintain a generally parallel relationship with the track 20. Theleft applicator 12 therefore remains in contacting engagementsimultaneously with both left tires 16. Because the left tires 16 arealways kept within the track 20, the left applicator 12 can effectivelyengage the tires with a minimal range of motion. In other words, asknown in the industry, the left tires 16 provide a reference point forvarious mechanisms in the washing facility, including the presentinvention, which automatically adjusts to various vehicle widths bylocating the right side of the vehicle 18.

[0032] The right applicator 14 is configured slightly differently fromthe applicator assembly 12 to articulate and permit passage of vehicle18 upon arrival of the right tires 17, and includes a pair of rightswing arms 40, a right deflector roller 42, a pair of anchor posts 44,four pivot assemblies 46, a right cylinder 48, and a right mount bar 50.The pivot assemblies 46 are identical to pivot assemblies 32 of the leftapplicator 12, but the swing arms 40 are slightly longer than swing arms26. With the longer swing arms 40, the applicator 14 articulates in alarger arc compared to the applicator assembly 12. During articulation,the right mount bar 50 maintains a generally parallel relationship tothe left mount bar 36 and to the track 20.

[0033] The left cylinder 34 is mounted between the left mount bars 36and one of the swing arms 26, and the right cylinder 48 is mountedbetween the right mount bar 50 and one of the swing arms 40. Both of thecylinders 34,48 are hydraulically actuated and are positioned so thatwhen they are extended, the applicators 12, 14 are moved into the pathof the vehicle being conveyed along the track 20. A fluid reservoir 51is coupled to each cylinder 34, 48 and is pressurized with air so thatthe applicators 12, 14 are pressed against the tires with a desiredamount of force once the vehicle is moved into engagement with theassembly 10. The pressure in the cylinders 34,48 is adjustable so thatthe applicators can apply a desired amount of force to the tires byselecting an appropriate level of air pressure.

[0034] The left and right deflector rollers 28, 42 are positioned andoriented with respect to the mount bars 36, 50 to allow the vehicle 18to impact the applicators 12, 14, force the applicators outwardly in acamming action, and allow entry of the vehicle 18 between theapplicators. The right roller 42 has a slightly longer length than theleft roller 28 to account for various vehicle widths.

[0035] Referring to the right applicator 14 shown in FIG. 3, the pivotassemblies 46 connect the swing arm 40 between the anchor post 44 andmount bar 50, and includes inner and outer pivot pins 60, 62, and innerand outer support bearings 64, 66. The outer support bearings areattached to an outer bearing mount 68 which, in turn, is fixed to theanchor post 44 via a pair of U-bolts 70. The U-bolts allow verticalmovement of the applicator 14 relative to the ground by loosening theU-bolts 70 and moving the outer bearing mount 68 along the anchor post44. The outer pivot pin 62 anchors the swing arm to the anchor post. Theinner support bearings 64 are attached to an inner bearing mount 72. Theinner pivot pin 60 pivotally couples the swing arm 40 to the mount bar50. The swing arm, mount bar, and anchor post are constructed ofaluminum, but these components can be constructed from other structuralmaterials such as steel as long as rapid corrosion is prevented. Itshould be understood that the left applicator 12 has an arrangement ofcomponents that is, except for the length of the swing arms,substantially identical to that of the right applicator 14.

[0036] An elongated applicator pad 74 is bolted to the mount bar 50 viaan arrangement of pad mount bolts 76 and upper and lower mount plates80, 82. The applicator pad 74 is manufactured from either a hydrophobicor hydrophylic foam, depending on whether a solvent-based or awater-based dressing fluid is used. Hydrophobic foam is compatible foruse with solvent-based fluid because it will absorb such fluid, andhydrophylic foam is compatible for use with water-based fluid. A benefitof using the hydrophobic foam is that the applicator pad 74 will retainthe dressing fluid without absorbing water remaining on the tires fromprior washing operations.

[0037] The foam is “reticulated,” meaning that when manufactured, aknown mechanical or chemical process is used to produce an innerarrangement of cells which increase the amount of fluid the foam iscapable of retaining. Reticulating the foam also increases the abilityof the foam to release the fluid to the tires when required to do so.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 4-5, the right applicator 14 includes aquantity of sixteen spray nozzles 81 mounted in an equally-spacedarrangement along the mount bar 50. The spray nozzles 81 are mountedsuch that they extend through the mount bar 50 and into the applicatorpad 74. Each nozzle produces a conical spray pattern so as toeffectively spray the fluid into the pad 74. Eight of the spray nozzles81 are connected to a forward supply line 83 and soak a section of thepad 74 which first comes into contact with the vehicle. The remainingeight spray nozzles 81 are connected to a rear supply line 84. Each ofthe supply lines 83, 84 is connected to a fluid supply system 90 whichcan supply either the front eight nozzles 81, the rear eight nozzles 81,or all of the nozzles 81 to spray the fluid.

[0039] The fluid supply system 90 includes a reservoir 92 which storesthe fluid, a pump 94 which forces the fluid to the spray nozzles 81, andvalves 96, 98 which control fluid flow to the front and rear supplylines 83, 84, respectively. A conventional timer 100 provide power tothe pump 94, and the timer 100 is triggered or actuated by the computercontrol system of the washing facility.

[0040] The applicator pad 74 is configured with a quantity of sixteenorifices 102 which loosely receive the spray nozzles 81 such thatdressing fluid sprayed from the nozzles 81 is dispersed uniformly insidethe orifice 102. Each orifice 102 includes a cylindrical portion 104, aconcave end 106 and a blind bore or capillary 108 extending from theconcave end 106 toward a contact surface 110 of the applicator pad 74.The capillary ends approximately 0.25 inches short of the contactsurface 110 so that fluid wicked into the capillary is absorbed by thepad 74.

[0041] The dimensions of the contact surface 110 can be optimizedaccording to the size of the tire being dressed and the point at whichthe pad 74 makes contact with the tires. That is, if the pad 74 contactsthe tire in proximity with the area where the tire meets the ground, itis necessary to provide a larger (or taller) contact surface 110 so thatthe pad 74 coats the entire width of sidewall 15 from the ground to thewheel. On the other hand, if the pad 74 contacts the tire in proximitywith the rotational axis of the wheel, then the pad is theoreticallycapable of contacting the entire sidewall 15 of the tire, regardless ofthe size of the contact surface 110, due to rotation of the tire.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the right applicator,designated by numeral 214, includes an applicator pad 274 having aconcavely-shaped contact surface 296 that conforms to the surface of thetire in a manner different from pad 74. In particular, it can be seenthat pad 274 is more readily able to conform the curved surface of thetire and coat the portions of the tire closest the wheel and the tread.The pad 274 has an arrangement of capillaries 208 which extend from theorifices 202 and end short of the contact surface 296.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 7, a third embodiment of the right applicator,designated by numeral 314, includes an applicator pad 374 having aconvexly-shaped contact surface 396. The convex shape allows the pad toflex easily upon initially contacting a tire due to the reduced surfacearea which initially contacts the tire.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 8, a fourth embodiment of the right applicator,designated by numeral 414, includes a sleeve 470 and a means 480, suchas a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, for driving the sleeve 470vertically along the anchor post 44. The sleeve 470 is attached withconventional fasteners to an outer bearing mount 468. A tab 482 isattached to the sleeve 470 to receive the means 480. Hence, the verticalposition of the applicator 414 can be adjusted as desired by moving thesleeve along the anchor post.

[0045] The means 480 is in communication with the computer controlsystem of the washing facility so that the height of the applicator 414can be adjusted automatically according to the size of the tires beingcoated, or the height of the body of the vehicle. For a low-profile tireor a vehicle with minimal ground clearance, such as a sports car, it maybe desired to lower the applicator as much as possible to avoid rubbingthe applicator on the body of the vehicle or the wheels of the vehicle.For vehicles having wheels or hubcaps which protrude outwardly beyondthe plane of the tire sidewall, it may be desirable to lower theapplicator to avoid possible damage to the applicator.

[0046] In operation, when the vehicle arrives at a predeterminedlocation on the track 20 (seen in FIG. 1), a signal is sent from thecomputer control system to the timer 100 to power the pump 94 for threeseconds, thereby pumping fluid to the applicator pads 74. The timeperiod can easily be lengthened or shortened depending on the flow rateof the pump and spray nozzles, or the absorption rate of the pads 74.The pump should be actuated at a position which gives the fluid enoughtime to soak in thoroughly before the vehicle engages the applicatorpads. The valves 96, 98 are actuated individually to control delivery offluid to either the front or the rear supply line 83, 84, or bothsimultaneously.

[0047] The vehicle is moved into engagement with the applicators 12, 14,and the pads are then pressed against the tires of the vehicle by theforce of the pressurized air in cylinder 51. Air pressure in thereservoir 51 is adjusted until the applicator pads are pressed againstthe tires with a force that deforms and conforms the applicator pads tothe contour of the tire sidewalls 15. The efficiency and effectivenessof the applicator pads can be adjusted by raising or lowering theapplicators 12, 14 on their respective anchor posts.

[0048] While several preferred embodiments of the novel tire dressingassembly have been shown and described above, various modifications andsubstitutions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. For example, other types of foams may be used thatcompatible other types of fluids, and foam having more or less hardnessand/or rigidity may be used. In the event that a water-based fluid isapplied to the tires, it may be advantageous to adapt a wiping or dryingmechanism to remove as much water from the tires as possible before thepad contacts the tire so that water from the tire is not absorbed by thepad. Such a wiping mechanism can be incorporated into the pad byproviding an impermeable layer of material on the upper and/or lowersurfaces of the pad so that water is wiped from the tires prior toapplication of the dressing fluid.

[0049] Further, it is considered within the scope of the presentinvention to configure the applicator pads with other arrangements ofcapillaries, such as lateral capillaries which connect the spray nozzleorifices to each other, thereby changing the distributioncharacteristics of the dressing fluid in the pad.

[0050] It is also considered within the scope of the present inventionto arrange the fluid supply lines and fluid supply system such thatdressing fluid is pumped to various arrangements of nozzles within theapplicator pad. For instance, it may be desirable to connect each supplyline to every other spray nozzle so that one supply line can bedeactivated and the applicator pad will still be soaked enough to effectproper tire coating. Other types of spray nozzles can be used to spraythe fluid in something other than a conical pattern.

[0051] Yet further, it is considered within the scope of the presentinvention to provide applicators which coat a single tire of the vehicleat a time. Such an applicator is useful in a facility other than awashing facility, such as a.

[0052] It is also considered within the scope of the present inventionto fit the tire dressing assembly with an assortment ofdifferently-sized and/or shaped applicator pads. Each applicator wouldbe capable of automatically selecting an appropriately-sized pad for usebased upon input received from the computer control system of thewashing facility. With such an arrangement, pads can be sized toaccommodate tires having a low profile, or larger tires for vehiclessuch as pickup trucks. An alternative arrangement is to provide severalapplicator assemblies adjacent one another, each assembly havingapplicator pads of a different size. A vehicle being processed can beconveyed to the applicator having the appropriately-sized applicatorpads for that vehicle.

[0053] Still further, it is considered within the scope of the presentinvention to utilize the applicator assemblies to apply fluids otherthan dressings, such as cleaner, before or during the time the vehicleis washed.

[0054] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present inventionhas been described by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation.

We claim:
 1. Apparatus for applying fluid to tires of a vehicle,comprising: left and right applicator pads having opposed innersurfaces, each of said inner surfaces engageable with at least one tireon left and right sides of the vehicle, respectively, said pads havingouter surfaces mounted respectively to left and right mount bars, saidleft applicator pad inner surface being engageable with at least onetire on a left side of the vehicle, said right applicator pad innersurface being engageable with at least one tire on a right side of saidvehicle; a fluid spray nozzle positioned to apply fluid to each of saidapplicator pads; means for articulating said mount bars to bring saidleft and right inner surfaces of the applicator pads into contactingengagement with the left and right tires, respectively; and means forsupplying fluid to each of said spray nozzles.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said applicator pads are constructed of ahydrophobic foam.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidapplicator pads are constructed of a hydrophilic foam.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the fluid spray nozzle is one of aplurality of fluid spray nozzles arranged to supply fluid to said pads.5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of said pads has aplurality of orifices complimentary to said plurality of spray nozzles,each of said orifices extending into said pad from said outer surfaceand ending short of said inner surface and adapted to receive one ofsaid spray nozzles.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein saidspray nozzles emit fluid in a conical pattern.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein each orifice has a blind bore extendinginto said pad from said orifice and ending short of said inner surface.8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of spraynozzles is divided into forward and rear sections of spray nozzles, andsaid fluid supplying means includes means for providing the fluid tosaid forward sections independently of said rear sections.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for articulating saidmount bars moves said mount bars in a generally horizontal plane intoand out of contacting engagement with the tires.
 10. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein each of said mount bars comprises a rollerpositioned to impact said left and right tires, respectively, anddeflect said mount bars a distance sufficient to effect engagement ofsaid pads with said tires.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said fluid supplying means is actuated by a timer.
 12. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the timer is coupled to acomputer control system of a washing facility.
 13. In a vehicle carefacility, a method of automatically coating the sidewall of at least onetire of a vehicle with a fluid, the method comprising the steps of:pumping a fluid into an applicator pad; engaging said applicator padwith a sidewall of the at least one tire; moving the applicator padrelative to the sidewall to rub the pad over the entire sidewall; anddisengaging the applicator pad from the sidewall after the step ofmoving.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the pumping is initiated bymovement of the vehicle to a predetermined position in the vehicle carefacility.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein pumping is completed priorto engaging the applicator pad with the sidewall.
 16. The method ofclaim 13, wherein vertical positioning of said pad is adjusted accordingto tire size prior to engaging said pad with said tire.
 17. The methodof claim 13, wherein the step of pumping occurs for a predeterminedamount of time.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the applicator padis engaged with the sidewall with a predetermined amount of force. 19.The method of claim 13, wherein: the pad is an elongated pad; and thestep of moving includes holding the elongated pad stationary whileengaged with the sidewall of the tire and moving the vehicle relative tothe stationary elongated pad.
 20. Apparatus for applying fluid to a tireof a vehicle, comprising: an applicator having a contact surfaceengagable with the tire, said pad being attached to a mounting meansmovable relative to the vehicle; means for delivering the fluid to saidapplicator; and means for articulating said mounting means to bring saidcontact surface of said applicator into contacting engagement with thetire.